On the Los Angeles Kings …
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: The Los Angeles Kings have about $1.6 million in cap space, so they don’t have a lot of room to bring in a goalie while Jonathan Quick is out. One of the problems is that most of the experienced goalies that could be available carry a big cap hit.
Some available options could be Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen (both above $4.5 million), Jimmy Howard (about a $5.3 million cap hit) and Ondrej Pavelec at $3.9 million.
There are some cheaper options that could be available, but then the cost to acquire could also be higher. Thomas Greiss of the Islanders carries a $1.5 million cap hit, but would be costly to trade for. The Bruins have Anton Khudobin at $1.2 million, but would cost the Kings more than they would want to give up.
Penguins Mike Condon and Panthers Reto Berra could be options, but are they much of an upgrade over Jeff Zatkoff and Peter Budaj?
Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: With Jonathan Quick out for several months, how long can the Kings afford to go with Jeff Zatkoff or Peter Budaj before they start losing game in bunches.
The Islanders are carrying three goalies. What would the Kings offer for Jean-Francois Berube?
Would the Penguins trade one of Matt Murray or Marc-Andre Fleury?
On the Winnipeg Jets and Jacob Trouba …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1040 talking about Jacob Trouba and Winnipeg Jets. Trouba’s agent Kurt Overhardt has said they will be patient and that they are in it for the long haul. Overhardt was Kyle Turris‘ agent and they asked for a trade out of Arizona, which took until December.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff hasn’t received an offer that would make him look twice at. Cheveldayoff has the backing from ownership to go all the way with the situation.
“So yeah, it’s a game of chicken now. Who blinks first”
